Yarn carrier



Oct. 4, 1966 A. M. RADLAUER 3,276,310

YARN CARRIER Filed Dec. 21, 1965 mag ARTHUR M. RADLAUER B) A TTOR/I/FYS United States Patent Ofilice 3,276,310 Patented Oct. 4, 1966 3,276,310 YARN CARRIER Arthur M. Radlauer, 258 Columbus Ave., Pawtucket, RJ. Filed Dec. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 515,302 6 Claims. (CI. 8722) The present invention relates to a yarn carrier. More particularly, the present invention relates to a yarn carrier for use on a braiding machine, that is lint and dust free and that is simple to adjust and maintain.

The yarn carrier of the present invention is employed in a braiding machine and is adapted to govern the paying out of yarn to the braider in accordance with the requirement of the braider in producing the braided article. In order to control the paying out of yarn to the braider, it is conventional for the yarn carrier to incorporate a ratchet assembly that normally retains the bobbin on which the yarn is wound in a fixed position. As tension is applied to the yarn in accordance with the requirement of the braider, a ratchet release mechanism is actuated to release the bobbin so as to permit a predetermined amount of yarn to be fed to the braiding ma chine. In these braiding machines, a ratchet release mechanism is controlled by movement of an actuating member, the actuating member being movable in response to the tensioned feed of the yarn. In the prior known yarn carriers, one of which is illustrated in Patent No. 2,960,905, a compression spring was mounted on a post that was secured to the base of the carrier and that normally retained the actuating member in a lower position. As the yarn was tensioned during the feeding operation, the actuating member was lifted by the yarn to an upper position for contact with a lift member, that in turn was moved to release a ratchet of the ratchet release mechanism. The post on which the compression spring was mounted necessarily required some lubrication, which provided for free vertical movement of the actuating member so as to avoid breakage of the yarn during the feeding operation. However, the presence of the oil on the post on which the actuating member moved had a tendency to attract lint from the yarn, which eventually clogged the spring located on the post. Further, the lint in contacting the post on which the lubrication was applied had a tendency to become dirty or discolored, which dirt was transferred to the yarn as it passed to the braiding point from the bobbin. Because of the problems encountered with the clogging of the compression spring and discoloration of the yarn, it was necessary to discontinue operation of the braiding machine, remove the carriers for washin cleaning and re-oiling. During overhauling of the carriers, the compression springs were not only difficult to remove and clean, but usually upon removal they were damaged, thereby requiring replacement with new springs.

In avoiding the problems experienced in the heretofore known yarn carriers, the present invention eliminates the compression spring as carried by the post on which the actuating member slides, and incorporates a tension spring that is removed from contact with the post. Thus, in the present invention, the tension spring is not subject to contact with the lubrication carried by the post on which the actuating member slides and, accordingly, will not tend to accumulate lint for dust thereon. Further, by providing a tension spring for use with the actuating member, the spring may be easily removed from its assembled position for replacement or adjustment as required. Because of the independent mounting of the tension spring, the maintenance or replacement operation is quickly accomplished without the use of special tooling or skills.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a yarn carrier for a braiding machine that is lint free and that is simple to maintain and adjust.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ratchet release mechanism for use in a braiding machine yarn carrier that includes a tension spring for normally resisting actuating movement of an actuating member that is movable in response to application of tension on the yarn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ratchet release mechanism for use in a. braiding yarn carrier that includes an actuating member that is vertically movable on a post, a tension spring being located remote from the post for normally resisting movement of the actuating member during the braiding operation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanyin g illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a yarn carrier for a braiding machine on which one form of a ratchet release mechanism embodied in the present invention is located;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the ratchet release mechanism and the tension control device for use therewith as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the bottom portion of the yarn carrier illustrated in FIG. 1 with the ratchet release mechanism in the release position during feeding of the yarn; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modified form of tension control device for use with the ratchet release mechanism.

Referring now to the drawing, the yarn carrier as employed in a braiding machine is generally indicated at 10 and includes a base 12 to which a drive roller 14 is suitably connected. A conventional drive mechanism operatively engages the roller 14 for driving the carrier 10 in the usual manner. Fixed to the base 12 and extending upwardly therefrom is a seat 16 in which a vertically extending spindle 18 is mounted. A bObblIl generally indicated at 20- is mounted on the spindle 18 and includes an upper flange 22 and a lower flange 24 between which a cylindrical portion 26 is secured for receiving a yarn in wound relation thereon. As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical portion 26 on which the yarn is wound is provided with a central bore through which the spindle 18 projects, the bobbin 20 thereby being loosely mounted for rotation on the spindle 18.

The bobbin 20 is normally restrained from rotation, but at selected intervals is rotated so as to pay out a predetermined portion of the yarn contained thereon. In order to provide for selected rotation of the bobbin 20, the bottom flange 24 is formed with a plurality of teeth indicated at 28 with which a ratchet element 30 engages. The ratchet element 28, which is formed as part of a ratchet release mechanism generally indicated at 50 is pivotally mounted on the seat 16 by a pivot pin 32 and includes a tubular rear portion 34 that receives a foot 36 therein that is formed as part of a vertically movable lift member 38. The lift member 38 is formed with a lower flange 40 that extends opposite to the foot 36 and further includes an upper flange 42, both flanges 40 and 42 having openings formed therein for receiving a vertical post 44 that is also mounted in the base 12. As seen in FIG. 1, the lift member 38 is movable on the post 44 but is normally retained in the lowermost position thereof by a short compression spring 46 that is received on the post 44 and that is located between the upper flange 42 and pivoted to the position illustrated in FIG. 1 and engages one of the teeth 28 of the flange 24 and thus locks the bobbin against rotation.

At selected intervals, the ratchet 30 is released from the locking position thereof in order that the yarn contained on the bobbin 20 may be paid out therefrom in predetermined lengths. In order to accomplish this purpose, the ratchet release mechanism 58 further includes a vertical post 52 that is fixed to the base 12 and in spaced relation to the post 44. The posts 44 and 52 are maintained in their spaced-apart relation by an upper end member 54 through which the post 44 extends and to which an arm 56 is joined for capping the post 52. A pigtail guide 58 is secured to the uppermost end of the post 44, and a compression spring 60 is disposed between the pigtail guide 58 and the end bracket 54.

Mounted on the post 52 for slid-able movement with respect thereto is an actuating member gene-rally indicatedat 62 that includes arms 64 between which a stop portion 66 is formed. A neck portion 63 is located adjacent to the arms 64 and is provided with a bore through which the post 52 extends. Located adjacent to the neck portion 63 is a hook 68 that is adapted to receive the yarn as it is fed from the bobbin 20, the hook 68 directing the yarn to the pigtail guide 58. As seen in FIG. 1, a guide 70 that is joined to the guide stop 48 initially receives the yarn as it is paid out from the bobbin 20 for directing it to the hook 68 and then to the pigtail guide 58.

The actuating member 62 is normally restrained from upward movement, and for this purpose a tension control bracket gene-rally indicated at 72 is provided and is formed as part of the ratchet release mechanism 50. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the tension control bracket 72 includes an elongated plate 74 to which end portions 76 and 78 are joined in spaced parallel relation. Suitable openings are formed in the end portions 76 and 78 for loosely receiving the post 52 therein, wherein the bracket is mounted on the post 52. An end finger 88 is formed as an integral part of the elongated plate 74 and is bent so as to receive an end loop of a tension spring 82. The end loop of the tension spring 82 opposite to that joined to the finger 80 is secured to the base 12 by a mounting hook 84 that is fixed in the base. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening formed in the lower end portion 76 of the bracket 72 is sufficiently large enough to be received on a shoulder 86 that is formed on the neck portion 63 of the actuating member 62, and thus the bracket 72 rests on the actuating member 62 and through the tension spring 82 normal- 1y resists upward movement of the actuating member 62.

In operation, the yarn indicated at 88 is threaded through the guide 70 fixed to the post 44 and under the hook 68 and then through the pigtail guide 58 for feeding to the braiding machine. During the braiding operation, when the yarn is to be paid out to the braiding machine in accordance with the requirement thereof, tension is applied to the yarn 88. Since the bobbin 20 is normally restrained from rotation by the ratchet member 30, this tension on the yarn 88 causes the actuating member 62 to be moved upwardly against the action of the tension spring 82 until the stop portion 66 thereof engages the underside of the upper flange 42 of the lift member 38. Further movement of the actuating member 62 elevates the lift member 38, and the ratchet member 30 is then pivoted to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 for releasing the bobbin, wherein the bobbin is rotated to permit paying out of the yarn in a predetermined length. During the operation as just described, the actuating member 62 slides upwardly on the post 52 and is unencumbered in the sliding movement thereof as contrasted with the prior known devices wherein a compression spring was located on the post 52. By locating the tension spring 82 removed from the post 52 in noncoaxial relation with respect thereto, the actuating member is free to slide on the post 52 and is resisted only in the sliding movement thereof by tensioning of the spring 82.

It is seen that oiling of the shaft 52 to provide for smooth operation of the actuating member 62 thereon will not result in accumulation of lint on the post since the tension spring is removed therefrom. Further, the tension spring 82 may be easily disengaged from the bracket 72 for the changing thereof, depending upon the material to be employed in the braiding operation. It is further seen that changing of the spring 82 is a simple operation, requiring no special skills and tooling, and may be accomplished in a relatively short period of time without unduly discontinuing the operation of the carrier 10. It is further understood that since the tension spring has a relatively short distance to move, a constant tension is maintained on the yarn, which results in an even application of the yarn to the braiding machine, thereby producing a better braided article.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a modified form of the ratchet release mechanism is illustrated and includes a rod 90 that is fixed to the actuating member 62 and thus replaces the bracket 72. Joined to the upper end of the rod 90 is a hook portion 92 that receives one end of a tension spring 94 that is similar to the tension spring 82. The other end of the tension spring 94 is secured to the hook 84 that is mounted in the base 12 of the carrier. It is seen that upon tension feeding of the yarn 88, the :actuating member 62 will be moved upwardly on the post 52, thereby carrying the rod 90 therewith. This movement tensions the spring 94 and provides for return movement of the actuating member 62 after the selective length of yarn has been removed from the bobbin 20. As previously described, removing the tension spring from the post 52 provides for a cleaner and more efficient operation and prevents accumulation of lint in the spring and on the post 52. Further, since the spring 94 does not engage the post 52, oil or lubricating fluid is not transferred thereto, and the discoloring or transferring of oil to the yarn during the feeding operation is avoided. The advantages as described above in connection with the use of the ratchet release mechanism 50 and bracket 72 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 are also evident in the device illustrated in FIG. 5.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a yarn carrier for -a braiding machine, a base, a

ber for effecting pivotal movement thereof when moved in an upper direction on said first shaft, a secondvertical shaft mounted on said base adjacent to said first shaft,-

an actuating member mounted for slidable movement on said second shaft and responsive to tensioned feeding of said yarn from said bobbin for upward movement on said second shaft, and a spring member normally resisting the upward movement of said actuating member and being located in non-coaxial relation with respect to said second shaft, means movable with said actuating member and engaging said spring member at one end thereof for tensioning said spring member upon upward movement of said actuating member, said actuating member thereby being movable upwardly against the action of said spring member upon tensioned feeding of said yarn for engaging and lifting said lif-t member, said latch member thereafter being pivoted to release the bobbin from engagement with said latch member to permit rotation of said bobbin and the paying out of a predetermined portion of said yarn therefrom.

2. In a yarn carrier as set forth in claim 1, the other end of said spring member being secured to said base so that upward movement of said actuating member causes said spring member to be tensioned for resisting the upward movement of said actuating member.

3. In a yarn carrier as set forth in claim 2, said movable means including -a bracket that is located in engagement with said actuating member and movable therewith, the one end of said spring member engaging said bracket, whereby said spring member is tensioned upon movement thereof with said actuating member.

4. On a yarn carrier as set forth in claim 3, said bracket including an elongated plate to which spaced end portions are joined, said end portions having openings for loosely receiving said second shaft therein, and a finger joined to said elongated plate adjacent to the upper end thereof and receiving the one end of said spring member in engagement therewith, wherein said spring member is disposed in a generally vertical position and in noncoaxial spaced relation with respect to said second shaft.

5. In a yarn carrier as set forth in claim 4, said actuating member including a neck portion through which said second post extends, the upper edge of said neck portion defining a shoulder, the opening in the lower most of said bracket end portions engaging said shoulder so that upward movement of said actuating member carries said bracket therewith to tension said spring member.

6. On a yarn carrier as set forth in claim 2, a vertical rod secured to said actuating member and extending upwardly therefrom, the one end of said spring member being secured to the upper end of said rod for normally retaining said actuating member in the lower position thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,630,669 5/ 1927 Mossberg 87-22 2,258,018 10/ 1941 King 87-22 2,897,716 8/1959 Olson 87--57 2,960,905 11/1960 Scanlon 8755 FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

J. PETRAKES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A YARN CARRIER FOR A BRAIDING MACHINE, A BASE, A VERTICAL BOBBIN SPINDLE MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR RECEIVING A BOBBIN THEREON, SAID BOBBIN HAVING A YARN WOUND THEREON FOR PAYING OUT DURING A BRAIDING OPERATION, A RATCHET MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE AND NORMALLY ENGAGING SAID BOBBIN FOR RESTRAINING ROTATION THEREOF, A FIRST VERTICAL SHAFT MOUNTED ON SAID BASE, A LIFT MEMBER MOUNTED FOR SLIDABLE MOVEMENT ON SAID FIRST SHAFT AND BEING OPERATIVELY INTERCONNECTED TO SAID RATCHET MEMBER FOR EFFECTING PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THEREOF WHEN MOVED IN AN UPPER DIRECTION ON SAID FIRST SHAFT, A SECOND VERTICAL SHAFT MOUNTED ON SAID BASE ADJACENT TO SAID FIRST SHAFT, AN ACTUATING MEMBER MOUNTED FOR SLIDABLE MOVEMENT ON SAID SECOND SHAFT AND RESPONSIVE TO TENSIONED FEEDING OF SAID YARN FROM SAID BOBBIN FOR UPWARD MOVEMENT ON SAID SECOND SHAFT, AND A SPRING MEMBER NORMALLY RESISTING THE UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER AND BEING LOCATED IN NON-COAXIAL RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SECOND SHAFT, MEANS MOVABLE WITH SAID ACTUATING MEMBER AND ENGAGING SAID SPRING MEMBER AT ONE END THEREOF FOR TENSIONING SAID SPRING MEMBER UPON UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER, SAID ACTUATING MEMBER THEREBY BEING MOVABLE UPWARDLY AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAID SPRING MEMBER UPON TENSIONED FEEDING OF SAID YARN FOR ENGAGING AND LIFTING SAID LIFT MEMBER, SAID LATCH MEMBER THEREAFTER BEING PIVOTED TO RELEASE THE BOBBIN FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID LATCH MEMBER TO PERMIT ROTATION OF SAID BOBBIN AND THE PAYING OUT OF A PREDETERMINED PORTION OF SAID YARN THEREFORM. 